SBI Looks Into Contracts To Jim Black's Son

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into state contracts awarded to the son of disgraced former House Speaker Jim Black.

Jon Black's company, Black Pest Control, received contracts at three state prisons even though the company charged about three times more than the lowest bidder. Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby confirmed Thursday the SBI was reviewing how the contracts were awarded.

Centex Construction oversaw construction of the three prisons, which cost a combined $245 million. It said it wanted Jon Black's company because it did good work on smaller Centex projects. But a former project manager at two of the prison construction sites said he was pressured to hire Black.

Jim Black is serving a five-year federal prison sentence for political corruption.

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